Irish Mint maintains strong Morphettville run
FOUR-YEAR-OLD gelding Irish Mint delivered the win it has been promising this preparation after taking out a benchmark 70 event at Morphettville on Saturday.
Irish Mint was third-up after finishing third on back-to-back occasions at Adelaide’s premiere track.
Leading from the beginning of the race, the son Mint Lane kicked away early in the straight and stayed on strongly to deliver $5.30 to Neds customers.
You beauty Irish Mint leads all the way #Morphettville
— damon vowles (@dpvowles) December 16, 2017
Vicki’s Boy ($2.80 at Crownbet) attempted to sneak up the rail and bypass the winner but could not make up the ground while Mystified rounded out the placings and return $1.50 to Crownbet clients.
Jockey Victor Wong – who has piloted Irish Mint on all three runs this preparation – said the horse was ready to peak third-up on Saturday.
“He finally got a result,” Wong said.
“Last start he didn’t show very good because he not really ready to race but now he’s getting more experience and more focused in racing and now he’s got a win.”
The race speed was not to hectic for Irish Mint, which was not taxed too heavily from leading the majority of the way. The horse was able to get to the front cheaply and because it did not have too work too hard to get there it offered a kick late in the piece to drive away from the closing brigade.
Wong said he thought there was plenty left in the tank coming into the latter stages of the race.
“He always has something left, and he’s a lot easier to ride that horse and I’m just so happy.”
The win was another riding success for the Wong and Jolly combination, who produced brilliant $3 winner at Ladbrokes Hazy Lane at Friday’s twilight meeting at Morphettville.
Wong said he takes pleasure in delivering winners for Richard Jolly.
“I’m just really happy for my boss.”